From the Heart of Hell, I Spit At Thee...

...or just spit up crap, essentially. Oh, come on - who else paraphrases Melville while referring to bronchitis? I've been sidelined for days with this blasted thing. I was sent home from work on Friday before I infected everyone at work and managed to score a repeat performance at the doctor's that day. Apparently, my virus had been upgraded to 'bacterial bronchitis'. I felt like I was going to return to my apartment to find it swathed in plastic like when the scientists got hold of E.T., or some random X-Files episode. Just call me the Outbreak Monkey.

Wow, this is a rather cinematic entry... must be the codeine.

So today I feel better than I have for a few days, and decided to catch up on some computing. I have a lot of e-mail. Holy crap.

I also have the coolest swap partner in the known universe. When the postman brought this huge box out of the elevator yesterday, I thought Mike had ordered something. But then I saw MY name on it, and jumped up and down until I started coughing like I was going to die. I managed to get a cough drop in so I could open the box. Holy COW. How awesome is my swap partner? Oh, about this awesome:



Kristen is also 45 oz. of M&M peanuts awesome. Yes, that is a 45 oz bag of peanutty, m&m-y goodness there.

More goodies? How can you deny the insane cute factor of a sheep in a sweater?



And how much do Hello Kitty knitting needles rock?



All in all, my first swap was awesome. I just heard from Leslie, my swap partner, who seems to like all the goodies I got her. On to the next swap - anyone like Hot Sauce?

And before I toddle back off to sick bay, more great news - it's a boy! Super-Secret Knitting projects are underway...

Super-Secret Projects Again...

Yup, I've got a super-secret project on the knitting needles again. It's adorable, and it's coming together much more quickly than I hoped, so I'm thrilled - I may even make a couple in different colors. Hee.

I went shopping for my Longing for Spring Swap pal, and got a few spring-y things. Now, I'm off to the yarn store this weekend to buy the main focus of the swap - the yarn and needles for the pattern I've chosen. I hope she likes everything...

Ugh, back to work. Spreadsheets call. Yay.

I just heard from my Longing For Spring Swap partner this morning! Yay!! She (or he, it's a secret) sounds so cool already.

I also scoped out my super secret swap partner's blog and even looked her up on Ravelry. I have tons of ideas, none of which I want to mention here just in case I get found out. But it involves some Easter candy. And yarn.

So my heart broke last night, when Will had this racking chest cough that was killing him. I sat up with him in the living room, rubbing his back and trying to get him to stop panicking and sleep. We watched the pilot episode of Heroes and about the first 20 minutes of Ghostbusters before I finally heard him dozing. Poor baby. He's home today and I'm hoping my doctor can see him, because this cough is killing his chest.

Alex, on the other hand, is thankfully A-OK. In fact, when I was stumbling to bed last night after finally getting Will to sleep, I noticed he had switched DVDs and was looking through some books. It was almost midnight! The kid is a terminator.

Yes, Yes, I Know, Bad Blogger...

I've been silent for almost a week. No particular reason, just sheer laziness on my part. :-)

I'm awaiting the identity of my Longing for Spring Swap partner, which should be coming any day now. Whoo hoo! I'm already thinking of goodies to send. And since my questionnaire is further down, I'll link to it here in case my partner is looking for it.

I feel like this is that odd time right before Spring where there's not really much going on; it's like everyone and everything is just waiting for Spring to begin.

Okay. Well, there's the Science Fair. Will's science project is due in a matter of weeks and he needs to get started. And that really translates to Mike and me needing to get started. Sigh... why do schools do this? Everyone knows full well that this is testing the parents' creativity and scientific ability. And here I thought I graduated all those years ago...

My First Swap!

I'm SO excited. I just signed up for my first knitting swap! I've been reading about them and hearing about them on podcasts for a couple of months now, so I'm so excited to have found one. It's the Longing For Spring swap, and my partner and I will exchange all sorts of yarny goodies in anticipation of the Spring. Since it's an anonymous swap, I will keep some musings to myself, lest my future swap partner will read this.

It all starts with a questionnaire, so here goes:

Do you knit or crochet? How long have you been at your craft?
I am primarily a knitter; I learned to crochet first, but I just seem to do better with knitting. I have been at it for a little over five years now.

What are your favorite yarns/fibers? What are your least favorite yarns/fibers?
I just started stretching my fiber boundaries past the big chain stores, so it's been a lot of fun. I've worked with Cascade 220 for the first time on a friend's birthday gift and LOVED how soft it felt. So I guess some soft wools are up there with favorites, and some nice cottons.

Least faves? Acrylics that squeak when they slide on the needles. And I've outgrown the eyelash/Fun Fur thing.

What are your favorite colors? What are your least favorite colors?

I love blues, reds and pinks. I love the combination of teals, greens and browns and pinks and browns lately. Since I'm looking forward to spring, I'd say right now, the least favorites are greys and gloomy blacks. And no neons! :)

What ‘warm weather’ project are you looking forward to making this year?
I would love to treat myself to a pretty wrap or a light top. Even a pretty scarf that I can wear during the April Showers days.

What are your favorite scents? Least favorite?
Love citrusy scents! Least favorites are anything really spicy, crushingly floral, heavy, or anything that smells like I've just walked into a funeral parlor (I commute on the NYC subway system every day, trust me - I've smelled a lot...)

What is your favorite flower?
Gerbera daisies

What are your favorite spring time hobbies/activities?
Love knitting, reading (sci fi and fantasy are tops), and snuggling with my boys (8, 4, and 39). I love taking walks with my iPod during lunchtime at work.

Do you have a garden? If you do, tell us a little about it. Do you like to plant flowers or vegetables?
No garden, no gardening skills, alas.

What are your favorite sweets?
I'm addicted to M&M peanuts and Payday bars. Baby Ruths and Lindt Truffles won't get a fight, either.

Do you collect anything?
Aside from yarn and knitting patterns? Books. Lots of books. And Hello Kitty. Love her!

Do you have any allergies?
I have seasonal allergies, and the doctor insists I'm allergic to cats - but don't tell my two kitties that.

Do you have any pets?
Two cats - one lovable curmudgeon and one sweet but crazy kitten. Does the husband count here? ;-)